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Ecuador and Galapagos.
Galapagos & Machu Picchu Adventure

Extend Your Stay

Half-day tours in Lima and its museums are available upon prior request. Experience the blend of cultures in one of South America's oldest capital cities; take a tour of the old colonial center of downtown Lima, the beautiful church and mysterious catacombs of San Francisco, and the colonial Cathedral of Lima. The most comprehensive archaeological heritage museums in Lima are the Gold Museum and the Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology.

Inca Trail 1-Day Trek from KM 104

In lieu of taking the train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu, consider a 1-day hike along the original Inca Trail to enter Machu Picchu through Intipunku, Gate of the Sun. Permits are required for this trekking option and are limited to 500 per day. Confirmation is subject to Permit availability once they begin to go on sale in February. This is a great option for families traveling with children who may not be ready for an overnight trek in the Andes yet.

After breakfast proceed to the Ollantaytambo station to board the train headed to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. Hikers disembark at km 104 where you begin your one day guided hike along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. After crossing the hanging bridge over the Urubamba River to Chachabamba, pause to explore this Inca site and then begin a three to four hour ascent to the spectacular ruins of Winay Wayna (“Forever Young”), an important spiritual site along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Besides being an area for cultivation of sacred crops such as the coca leaf, it is believed that Winay Wayna was used for cleansing rituals for travelers along the route, prior to their arrival into Machu Picchu. After Winay Wayna, the trail joins the classic route which other trekkers have been hiking over the previous three days. In the afternoon, the trail traverses along the contour of a forested ridge full of orchids and bird life with dramatic views of the Urubamba River below. A steep and dramatic ascent up a final stairway brings you to the Intipunku, or “Gate of the Sun” where you will be rewarded with your first view of Machu Picchu. Proceed down through the site and on to your hotel for the night. This is a great option for families with children who may be too young for an overnight trekking trip in the Andes.

Cost Per Person: Additional $125 per person based on two people to add this into an existing Peru itinerary. This includes trekking permits; authorized trail guide; train tickets from Ollantaytambo; entrance fees for Machu Picchu; bus tickets from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes and boxed lunch.

Otavalo Market and Andean Highlands

Nestled between the snowcapped Imbabura and Cotachachi volcanoes, the town of Otavalo rests in a culturally distinctive area of the Andean Highlands. Staying at one of the beautifully reconstructed 16th century haciendas outside of town, take a guided trip through some of the many local artisan shops as well as the famous market.

The highlands of Ecuador are dominated by majestic volcanoes and rolling green fields, dotted with small villages which through the generations have developed specialized handicrafts signifying their particular talents. The colorful meetings of locals at the major indigenous markets to sell and barter these goods have become a highlight of most travelers’ visits to this beautiful and diverse country. Join the fun with your local guide as you browse, photograph and find that perfect gift or memento of your highland adventure. Lodging is at a beautiful colonial-era hacienda, refurbished to modern standards while maintaining its historical air. Our active travelers will also enjoy the opportunity to hike to one of the area’s most scenic outlooks, the sparkling crater lake of Cuicocha, tucked into the slopes of Volcan Cotocachi. This 2 day extension has something for everyone, and is sure to remain in your memories long after you return home!

2018 Pricing: $910/person, double occupancy, depending on group size and using Hacienda Cusin. Upgrade to Hacienda Zuleta for $260/person.

Note: One day excursions are also available. While Saturday and Wednesday are the biggest days of the Otavalo market, it operates every day of the week, so this extension may be added to any Galapagos voyage itinerary. Please call for single/triple occupancy rates

Day 1: Andean Highlands

Departing from your Quito hotel, travel north into the Andean highlands, stopping along the way in small villages to experience local culture and specialized handicrafts such as weaving, woodcarving and leather goods. A special treat for this day is a visit to the Huarmi Maqui women’s weaving cooperative, a non-profit organization established to assist local indigenous women to hone their skills and learn how to independently market their goods. Classes in women’s rights and healthcare are also offered to the local population. Your final destination for this day is one of the area’s elegantly restored colonial-era haciendas, set amidst verdant gardens and forests. Overnight at Hacienda Cusin. [BLD]

Note: Upgrade to Hacienda Zuleta, a working estancia with pre-Inca ruins, a condor rehabilitation program, cheese factory and embroidery workshop available for approximately $195 per person.

Have a bit more time? Consider adding one more day to your hacienda stay in order to participate in a cooking class with the executive chef of Hacienda Cusin. Accompany the chef on a shopping trip to the farmers markets, harvest ingredients from the organic garden, and join in the fun of meal preparation! Learn how to make authentic empanadas (filled pastries), trucho papillot (wrapped trout), and delicious helado (ice cream).

Day 2 : Otavalo Market Day / Lago Cuicocha

After breakfast, visit the world-famous market at Otavalo. These traditional meeting points have been a vital link of the highland Indian cultures since pre-Incan times. This is a magnificent opportunity to witness native peoples, distinctive clothing, animals, flowers, fruits, vegetables, and pottery that are displayed in colorful arrays. Following lunch at a local restaurant, join your guide for an exhilarating hike to Laguna Cuicocha a caldera lake on the flanks of Volcan Cotacachi, featuring spectacular views of the surrounding peaks. Return to Quito by early evening. [BL]

Founded in 1602, Hacienda Cusin was converted in 1990 into a country inn of beautifully decorated guest rooms, suites and garden cottages, its history preserved and its ambience respected. Read more about the Hacienda Cusin.

Amazon Extension to the Napo Wildlife Center

Years of close cooperation with the Añangu community has produced Napo Wildlife Center, an innovative project that is as valuable for its comforts as for its conservation and social value. The protected area is home to such species as Jaguar, Giant Otter, Tapir, eleven species of monkeys (including acrobatic Spider and Wooly monkeys, Monk Saki and Golden-mantled Tamarin), and many brilliant bird species. Here the local Añangu community has teamed with international conservationists to create a private reserve of well over 50,000 acres within the Yasuni National Park.

2018 Pricing: $1,470 per adult and $1,030 for children aged 5-11 depending on length of stay (3 or 4 nights) and room category. Airfare from Quito to Coca included. Children under 12: $1,010 to $1,365

Note: This trip can depart from/return to Quito any day EXCEPT Sunday.

Day 1: Napo Wildlife Center

Transfer to the Quito airport for your brief flight to Coca, an outpost on Ecuador’s Rio Napo in the Oriente, Ecuador’s Amazon basin. A 2 hour motorized canoe ride takes you to Napo Wildlife Center’s private dock where you’ll continue by canoe (1.5 hrs) through a meandering tributary of the Napo to the lodge's private lake deep within the Yasuni National Park. Arriving at the lodge, have a welcome beverage and receive an orientation about the activities to come. Overnight Napo Wildlife Center. [LD]

Days 2 - 3: Napo Wildlife Center

Your naturalist guide accompanies you on a variety of adventures in this remote reserve, exploring the rivers, lagoons and forests surrounding the lodge. Napo Wildlife Center occupies an 82 square mile portion of Yasuni National Park. With 2 nearby parrot licks and a canopy tower, you have myriad opportunities to view some of the 550 species of birds, 11 primate species, and the stars of the reserve, giant river otters. Overnight Napo Wildlife Center. [BLD]

Day 4: Quito

Early rising today to paddle or hike back to the Rio Napo and return to Coca for your flight to Quito.

Note: Due to international air schedules, we have not included the cost of transfers and Quito hotel day 5. If you wish to overnight, please inquire for private airport-hotel transfers and accommodation. Prices are based on set days of transfer to / from the Coca airport.

The Napo Wildlife Center [NWC] is a renowned, award-winning Amazon rainforest lodge in Ecuador. It is located adjacent to 82 sq miles of Yasunì National Park and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the largest tract of protected tropical rain forest in Ecuador. Read more about the Napo Wildlife Center.

Family Adventure in Ecuadors Southern Highlands

This is an action-packed trip into the southern highlands of Ecuador, off the beaten tourist track and into beautiful villages and rolling farmlands. Take mountain bikes through the countryside, share a traditional lunch with villagers. Learn the basics of guitar making from legendary craftsmen, then explore colorful local markets and ride horses into spectacular landscapes, surrounded by Andean peaks and small farms. Discover the colonial gem of Cuenca, and explore ancient Incan ruins. This family adventure has something for everyone!

For current cost and details, contact Galapagos program director Sherry Howland at Sherry@wildland.com

Day 1: Cojitambo Inca Ruins / Rose Farm

After a morning transfer to the Guayaquil airport and brief flight, we find ourselves in the lovely city of Cuenca, in Ecuador’s southern highlands. Driving northeast from the airport, we arrive at the village of Cojitambo, an important spot in Ecuador since pre-Incan times. Enjoy spectacular views of the rolling countryside and stroll through the tiered Inca rock walls and terraces of Cojitambo ruins. Lunch will be taken with a local family at the “papa mesa” or “potato table.” This is a traditional sharing of food and your introduction to local customs and cuisine. Continuing on, we drive to Burgay and our awaiting mountain bikes. An easy ride downhill takes us to Alta Flor Rose Farm, beautifully located amid mountains, lakes and pristine rivers. Alta Flor is the only rose farm in Ecuador to receive the German Green Seal, signifying the owners recognizes a goal of improving quality of life for the workers as well as the environment. Climatic and geographical conditions come together to make this area perfect for producing gorgeous, colorful and fragrant roses, sure to inspire the gardener (or romantic!) in all of us! We continue on our bikes to the town of Zhud, meeting our support vehicle for the final leg of today’s travels, our hacienda-style hotel. You may have time for a quick dip in the swimming pool or even a soak in the Jacuzzi, before dinner. Overnight Hacienda Uzhupud. [BLD]

Day 2: Gualaceo / San Bartolome / Horseback Riding

Following breakfast at the hacienda, we set out for the small town of Gualaceo and their colorful food market, the largest in the region. Local farmers come from throughout the area to bring their products to sell or trade, creating a lively, festive atmosphere. Maybe you will recognize some of the same local fruits and vegetables that you biked through on yesterday’s adventure!

Onto the charming village of San Bartolome, perched on a mountainside and home to guitar-making artisans. This craftwork dates to the Spanish colonial times or perhaps further, at least 200 years ago, and many of the guitar craftsmen can trace their family’s roots in the business back at least 100 years! But even though guitars from this village are famous the world over, the villagers of San Bartolome also create fine weavings and ceramics, as well as high-quality silverwork from nearby mines. The pleasant temperatures and high altitude (8,800-10,000’) are perfect for growing tasty apples and cherries, too.

We depart San Bartolome for our lunch, taken at a delightful local hacienda. Afterwards, we continue to the Bellavista Equestrian Center and our next adventure. Whether you are a seasoned horseback rider or a greenhorn, you will be well-matched by the experts at Bellavista. A local guide accompanies riders on a gentle (or adventurous – depending on your level of expertise!) 2-3 hour ride to a spectacular overlook of the Tarqui Valley and surrounding Andean peaks, passing local villages and lush farmlands enroute. Saying goodbye to our horses, we return 30 minutes to Cuenca, where we check into our hotel and freshen up before dinner. Overnight Hotel Santa Lucia. [BLD]

Day 3: Colonial City Tour / Pumapungo Inca Ruins

Cuenca is a beautiful colonial gem, lovingly preserved by its inhabitants who take great pride in their home. With a year-round Spring-like climate and timeless Spanish and French architectural influences, Cuenca is a beguiling UNESCO World Heritage Site that feels forgotten in time, inviting a slower pace. Vestiges of ancient Incan trails and ruins still may be found amongst the other architectural charms. These trails connect Cuenca with the Amazon jungles to the east all the way to the rolling Pacific surf in the west. Pumapungo Archeological Park is located within Cuenca itself and dates from the 15th Century. Your guide will point out the remnants of Temple of the Sun as well as the Convent of the Virgins of the Sun. Overnight Hotel Santa Lucia. [BLD]

Day 4: Departure to Guayaquil

Following breakfast, transfer to the Cuenca airport for your return flight to Guayaquil. [B]

Originally constructed as home to the provincial governor in 1859, this hotel has been lovingly updated to retain its classic decor while offering all the modern amenities travelers expect.

Mansion Alcazar

Conveniently located in the colonial center of Cuenca, Mansion Alcazar maintains it colonial splendor with careful furnishings and artwork. Each room is individually designed with luxury amenities and fabrics.

Teleferico Cable Car Day Trip to the Pinchincha Volcano

Quito is nestled in a valley between Andean peaks and volcanoes, one of which, Volcan Pichincha, serves as the base for a thrilling cable car ride high over the city and breathtaking surroundings. Departing from your hotel, drive to the foothills of Pichincha, where you board the roomy glass gondola to begin a smooth and slow ascent up the volcano. Quito lies spread beneath you, and all around rise the lofty volcanic peaks of the Andes…Cayambe (18,996’), Antisana (18,714’), Cotopaxi (19,347’), the twin peaks of Ilinizas (16,818’ and 17,218’) and possibly – on very clear days – Chimborazo (20,564’) and Altar (17,451’). The entire ride takes approximately 10 minutes, delivering you from the starting point at 9680’ to a plateau at 13,290’ elevation. From here, there are trails leading to the summit of Pichincha, an additional 700’.

For the youngsters in your party, a small arcade park at the base of the cable car provides additional entertainment in the form of rides and games.

Bellavista Cloud Forest

Explore the lush surroundings of Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge, a haven for exotic birds and verdant forests, located within a lovely 2 hour drive from Quito. Whether you prefer to bushwhack through the Valley of the Mist, hike upstream to the Hidden Falls, or simply relax with a cup of coffee on the deck admiring the view from the top of the Tandayapa Valley, Bellavista will take your breath away with its stunning beauty. Known throughout the world for its vast range of avian life, this region boasts 400+ species, including toucans, colorful cock-of-the-rock, giant antipitta and more. Bellavista itself has recorded over 20 species of hummingbirds alone! For botanical enthusiasts, hundreds of orchid and bromeliad specimens will keep you occupied. Spend a full day or extend your time with an overnight in the comfortable lodge. Your gracious local guides will insure hours of discovery and delight in the emerald forest.

For current costs and details, please contact our Galapagos program director Sherry Howland at Sherry@wildland.com

Day 1: Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge

Rise early this morning for the next great adventure! Just a few hours distance on the northwestern slopes of the Pichincha Volcano, the cloud forests of Mindo are one of the most diverse and accessible endemic bird areas in the world. Traveling from the high sierra towards the coast you pass through a range of landscapes enroute to your destination, the Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve. This area boasts over 400 recorded species of birds, and the list continues to grow! The Plate-Billed Toucan, Tanager-finch, Giant Antpitta, and White-faced Nunbird are all found here, and many other species found no where else on earth. Enjoy guided bird outings and general nature walks through the verdant forest along sparkling streams and waterfalls. Bellavista’s 55 hectare reserve holds a profusion of bromeliads and orchids, and since Bellavista is located on the equator flowers are in bloom year round. Resident mammals include the endangered Spectacled Bear and the puma (rarely seen but protected by the reserve), Andean coati and tayra, to name but a few. Overnight Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge. [BLD]

Note: The one day adventure includes transportation to and from Quito (departing at 6:30 am and returning at 6:00pm), guided hike, lunch, and time to explore the trails on your own.

Day 2: Bellavista - Quito

Rise early for the best birding opportunities! Join your guide for a walk to discover hidden waterfalls and stunning wild orchids. There are over 10km of trails in networks ranging from easy stroll to true bushwhacking adventure! Keep your eyes peeled for exotic birds in the canopy overhead. Or simply relax on the Bellavista deck with a cup of coffee, watching the hundreds of brilliant “feathered jewels” hummingbirds which visit the feeders. Bellavista has recorded over 20 species at their feeders, but the valley contains more than 40 species – a world record. Following lunch at the lodge, return to Quito. [BL]

Note: Additional nights available at Bellavista. Please inquire.

Bellavista Cloud Forest Lodge
A bird lovers dream, less than 1 hour 45 minutes from the heart of Quito city, Bellavista is a private reserve of 700 hectares, at the top of the famed Tandayapa Valley, near Mindo, in an area that has won the highest 24 hour bird count in the Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the Americas.

Amazon Extension to La Selva Lodge

La Selva represents a new level in comfort and elegance in the Ecuadorian rain forest. Eighteen beautiful suites await you, featuring private balconies, rain forest showers, panoramic views. There are even family suites with private porches and a Jacuzzi. Constructed with bamboo from sustainable plantations, the open design of each suite invites a genuine jungle experience coupled with maximum comfort. Set out each day on adventures through the rain forest, on canoe rides (day and night), visit parrot clay licks, or climb the 115’ observation tower for close-up views of the dense canopy and its inhabitants. Return to the lodge for relaxing cocktails on the lakefront patio followed by a delicious dinner of all local ingredients.

Transfer (included) to the airport for your morning flight to the Oriente, Ecuador’s Amazon rain forest. Arrive to the jungle town of Coca and meet your naturalist guide from La Selva Jungle Lodge. Board a motorized canoe which will transport you down the broad Rio Napo to La Selva’s private dock. Porters handle all your luggage, you are responsible for personal items and please take note of camera gear that may be splashed with water! Arrive to La Selva and begin your jungle adventure with an introductory talk by the naturalists and the first activity of your stay that late afternoon/evening. Overnight La Selva Jungle Lodge [BLD]

Days 2-3: Amazon Rainforest

Activities at the Lodge follow a broad range, mainly depending on weather and logistics. You can generally count on hikes – both day and nocturnal –through the forest, canoe rides, a climb to the canopy tower to observe myriad species of birds and animals – some of whom never touch the ground below. The parrot clay lick is one of the highlights to any visit to the rainforest, a gathering of brilliant parrots (and possibly macaws) on the banks of the Rio Napo, eating the mineral-rich clay which helps them digest fruits and seeds which are part of their normal diet. You can also kayak onto the lake for a paddle or enjoy solitude on one of the lodge’s self-guided trails. Soothe any tired muscles or worn out feet with a massage in the La Selva spa (not included). Overnight La Selva Jungle Lodge [BLD]

Day 4: Quito

Early rising today to return to the Rio Napo and Coca for your flight to Quito. [B]

Please Note: Most Coca-Quito flights will arrive to Quito by 12N (Saturday arrival 2:20P). You may elect to transfer to your Quito hotel for overnight, continue on with other activities, or remain at the airport for international departures

Combining elegant all-suite accommodations with environmental awareness and exemplary service, La Selva Lodge is a welcoming home in the Ecuadorian rainforest.

Southern Highlands of Ecuador

From the mangrove-lined, wildlife-rich estuaries of Rio Guayas and the Jambeli Channel to the high altitude paramo of El Cajas to the colonial gem of Cuenca in the Andean highlands, southern Ecuador is a rich and diverse mixture of natural wildlands and cultural treasures, with hidden reminders of ancient inhabitants waiting to be explored. It is an area beautifully suited to Wildland Adventurers who want to veer from the beaten track to discover untrammeled paths filled with wildlife, spectacular landscapes and Cuenca, a city that in spite of being the third largest in Ecuador, maintains the soul of a quaint, colonial village.

pricing: For current costs and details, please contact our Galapagos program director Sherry Howland at Sherry@wildland.com

Day 1: Manglares-Churute Reserve / Tushipungo / Cuenca

Departing Guayaquil (or Quito) this morning, travel south to the ecological wonderland of Manglares-Chirute Reserve. Protected from development and nearby shrimp-farming, these 100,000 acres of mangrove and tropical dry forest contain a treasure-trove of wildlife, including aquatic birds such as herons, ducks, roseate spoonbills, osprey and horned screamers. Mammals known to inhabit the area include tigrillos (a relative of ocelots), capuchin monkeys, mantled howler monkeys and badgers. Board a boat for a leisurely voyage through the twisting swamplands, quietly observing the rich life all around. Vegetation varies from mangrove to balsa and oak trees, with wild orchids and bromeliads making appearances, allowing a wide distribution of wildlife within the borders of the reserve.

From Manglares-Churute, we travel 2 hours up the Andes cordillera, passing beautiful mountain valleys and lakes. Our destination is the Tushipungo Valley, where we hike into spectacular El Cajas National Park, home to over 200 glacial lakes set amidst rolling paramo grasslands, wild quinoa, fragrant rosemary, and home to an abundance of wildlife such as Andean fox, white-tailed deer, wild llamas, and the elusive spectacled bear, to name just a few species. Andean condors, tanagers, hummingbirds and gray-breasted mountain toucans are just a few species on a very long list of birdlife here. An easy hike circumnavigating a sparkling tarn allows plenty of time to stop with binoculars and cameras to capture the life and spectacular landscape.

From El Cajas, another half hour finds us near the beautiful colonial city of Cuenca, in time for hotel check-in and dinner. Overnight Hacienda Uzhupud [BLD]

Day 2: Cojitambo Inca Ruins / Rose Farm / Hacienda Burgay

Driving northeast this morning, we arrive at the village of Cojitambo, an important spot in Ecuador since pre-Incan times. Enjoy spectacular views of the rolling countryside and stroll through the tiered Inca rock walls and terraces of Cojitambo ruins. Continuing on, we drive to Alta Flor Rose Farm, the only rose farm in Ecuador to receive the German Green Seal, signifying Alta Flor recognizes a goal of improving quality of life for the workers as well as the environment. Climatic and geographical conditions come together to make this area perfect for producing gorgeous, colorful and fragrant roses, sure to inspire the gardner (or romantic!) in all of us! Lunch today is taken at the Hacienda Burgay, dating from 1733 and one of the region’s most honored estates and families. The Hacienda is normally off-limits to visitors, but opening its magnificent doors exclusively for us. A brief tour takes in murals and sculptures treasured by the family through generations. Return to Cuenca after lunch, check into our beautiful hotel,Hotel Santa Lucia. [BLD]

Day 3: Horseback Riding / Colonial City Tour

Following breakfast at your hotel, set out for the Bellavista Equestrian Center, a short drive from Cuenca. Whether you are a seasoned rider or a greenhorn, you will be well-matched by the experts at Bellavista. A local guide accompanies riders on a gentle (or adventurous – depending on your level of expertise!) 2-3 hour ride to a spectacular overlook of the Tarqui Valley and surrounding Andean peaks, passing local villages and lush farmlands enroute. Following lunch, we return to Cuenca for a 3 hour tour of this colonial gem. With a year-round Spring-like climate and timeless Spanish and French architectural influences, Cuenca is a beguiling UNESCO World Heritage Site that feels forgotten in time, inviting a slower pace. Vestiges of ancient Incan trails and ruins still may be found amongst the other architectural charms. Overnight Hotel Santa Lucia. [BLD]

Day 4: Departure to Guayaquil / Quito

Following breakfast, transfer to the Cuenca airport for your return flight to Guayaquil or Quito. [B]

Originally constructed in 1859 as home to the provincial governor, this graceful mansion has been lovingly restored to preserve the stately architecture , melding the charm of old with the comforts of modern day